Self-locking container



.I B. Rlcl-Lmxnsy ET AL SELF-LOCKING CONTAINER,

Fiied June 1, 1937 7 5 Ty lil. M 3 5 .Il Ill D W 5 Z /ao Z -l 11..- 4 /M Z IZ Z Z Il H Z 5 5 1- 5 Mv i Z I lo l|4 3 llxf dw |Z llwf 7. 1J M 'Patented Jan. 24, 1939 SELF-LOCKING corrriurmav Jesse n. Richards and' william n. van winkle,

Marion, Ind., assignors to Indiana Fibrelrodnets Company, Marion, Ind., a corporation Appunti@ June 1, 1931, serial nro-.145,716

` sclaims. (ci. 22e- 27) This invention relates to a multi-cell paper board box structure which may be made of solid fibre board or corrugated paper board, as desired.

The chief object of this invention is to provideV a box structure which may be shippedflat and readily assembled and secured in boxformation by the user thereof without the necessity of stapling the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide, t

if, as and when desired, a reenforced end arrangement.

The chief feature of the invention consists in forming a box whereby the foregoing objects are accomplished.

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claims:

In the drawingyFig. 1 is a plan view of the main blank included in the box.

Fig.'2 is a top plan view of the box in assembled relation, the two half-covers being shown in the open position. Fig. 3 is an elevational view of one of the partition members.

Fig. 4 ls an elevational view of another transversely positioned partition member.

Fig.` 5 is an elevational view of a reenforcing end member.

Reference will be had initially to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, in which Ill indicates the box bottom forming portion, I I the two end-forming portions hingedly connected thereto as at I2 by the score or crease. Two side portions I3 aresimilarly formed integral with the bottom portion I 0 and hingedly connected thereto by the score orcrease I4.

Integral with each side portion is a half-cover I5 hingedly connected to the side portion by the score or crease I5. Each half-cover has a locking flap extension I1 integral therewith `and hingedly connected thereto by the score or crease I3. Each half-cover may, if desired, be provided with a finger hole I3, the purpose of which will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

Integral with each end portion and the upper edge thereof when in box formation is a topforming flap 20 and hinged thereto as at 2|.

Each is slotted as at 22 and the width of said slot is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the two half-cover locking flaps I1 when nested there- Integral with one side of each end portion is a u ilapor lateral extension designated by the numeral 23 and which is hingedly connected to the end at its side edge by the score or crease 24; One edge and'thebottom associated edge of this extension is suitably relieved intermediate its ends I as at 25. The upper edge of this extension is pro' 5 vided with a plurality of slots, the same having' a predetermined spacing therebetween and the slot closest the hinge connection 24, having a predetermined spacingnecessary to position 4said slot in predetermined position. 10

The side wall I3 immediately adjacent th eX- t tensions 23 is provided with a pair of spaced slits 25 having suitable end extension 21. The length of these slits 26 is equal to the maximum width of the extension 23 remote from the score or 15 crease 28 therein. The score or crease 28 is positioned a distance from the score or crease 24 equal to the distance the slit 26 is positioned from the adjacent side edge 29 of the side portion I3.

To facilitate manipulation and prevent break- 20 ing of the extension, there is provided one or more creases 30 and herein two are illustrated positioned between the three slots 3| previously mentioned. 1 It will be noted the three slots 3| are positioned equidistant fromreach other and 25 equidistant from the outer edge 33 of the .flap 23 and from the hinge portion 28.

When these parts are arranged in box formation-see the right-hand cellular portion of Fig. 2-,the portion 230i. the lateral extension between 30 the creases 24 and 28 overlaps the sidewall I3 and the remainder of the extension is passed inwardly through the slit 26 and the edge 33 terminates immediately adjacent the opposite side wall I3.

In a similar manner but by reason of a dissim- 35 ilar slit spacing, the opposite lateral extension 34 Vhingedly connected at 35 to the opposite side edge 0f each end portion Il are provided with slots 36 vhaving their-entrancesr at the upper edge of the extension, the lower edge or bottom associated 40 portion being relieved as `at 31. A crease 38 is positioned substantially the same distance from the union or hinge connection 35 as the similar l slits 39 having the end portions 4|) are positioned from the side edges 4|, said slits being formed in 45 the otherside wall I3. s

-The lateral extensions 34 lare provided with the creased portions 42 which are positionedapproximately equidistant between the three spaced slots 38. The spacing between the slots is substantial- 50 1y the same asthe spacing betweenthe end slot andthe side edge 4 3 and the lateral extension or the other end slot and thevcrease 38. When in box formation-see the left-hand portion of Fig. 2-the portion of the lateral extension 3 4 between 55 bottom edge with three upwardly directed slots -group of cells.

the creases 38 and 35 lies parallel to the side I3 and the slotted extension portion is passed through the slit 39 and the edge 43 terminates adjacent the opposite side wall. When thus positioned, these four extensions are so arranged the slots 3| and 36 are in alignment, see Fig. 2.

The three partition members 44 shown each include upwardly directed slots 45, see Fig. 3, having a predetermined spacing and an intermediate downwardly directed slot 46. The intermediate slot is centrally positioned and the other slots are arrangedf in pairs, the spacing between slots of each pair being substantially the same as the spacing between the pair and each side edge 4l of the partition or the space between the closest slot in each pair and the central slot 46 thereof.

When the four end extensions have been properly associated with the slitted sides and thus positioned inwardly within the container, three of the partitions 44 are associated therewith and interlock with these lateral extensions 23 and 34 and serve to locate the same in predetermined sp'aced relation to form a multiplicity of cells at each end of the'container.

Another partition member 48 is provided on its 43. 'Ihis is the central partition member and when associated with the partitions 44, said partition 43 is seated in the central slots 46 in the top edge of the partitions 44, thereby providing therewith and the extensions 34, an intermediate It will be apparent that the Q length of the partition 44 shown in Fig. 3 is subare turned inwardly, then the two half-covers are stantially the length of the box and the length of the partition 48 shown in Fig. 4 is substantially the width of the box.

When all the extensions are properly positioned. and the several partitions are properly associated therewith and with leach other, it will be apparent that an interlocking relationship is obtained whereby the respective partitions prevent the accidental disassembling or disassociatlon of the box portions from box-forming relation. When articles such as ketchup, beer, Coca Cola, or the like, bottles are packed in the container, one to a cell, the two end extensions 20 turned inwardly and the two flap extensions I1 thereon are -caused to nest at their opposite ends in the slots 22 of the end extensions 20.. The container is then in-closed relation and thel covers are retained in that position through Africtional engagement with each other and with the side edges of the slots 20.

To facilitate ready opening of one or both half-covers, the finger hole or holes I3, may be provided.

It willbe apparent that in place of extensions 23 and half-covers I5, there may be employed a single cover portionintegral with either side I3 and provided with rim-forming extensions which can be interlocked together at adjacent corners and thus provide a single full cover box, all without the use of staples to secure the parts when assembled in box formation.

With such an arrangement, the extensions 20 may be used, if desired, but there would be no necessity for slots 22 to be therein.`

It will be'observed that end extensions 23 have a coniormatin between creases 24 and 28, indicated by the numeral 5l, which is diiierent from the conformation indicated by the numeral 5I of the lateral extension 34 between creases 35 and 33. The side I3 which is associated with the lateral extensions 23 thus has a greater portion of the side exposed and the lesser portion 'overlapped by the extensions. 'I'he other side has a greater amount overlapped by the lateral extension 34 and a lesser amount exposed. This permits a' larger available printing area on onel side I3 than the other. If desired, either type of conformation .50 or 5I may be used in all extensions to the exclusion'of the other form.

The foregoing constitutes a description of a container suitable for the general purpose described and the container of the simplest form, it being noted that each end portion is provided with ahand-hold slot or opening 52. l

When it is desired to form a slightly stronger box and particularly when hand-holes are provided so that the end walls provided with said openings will not be deformed when the box is handled with its contents, each end may be reenforced by a member 54 of substantially the same area as the end II. 'I'he end insert will be provided with a registering hand-hole 55 and the two end members I I and 54 are suitably stitched together with metal members, conventional to the industry and by the box manufacturer. and the positioning thereof is indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 5 and by the numerals 55 and 51, respectively. The reenforcing end preferably is positioned adjacent the inside face of the end portion of the main blank.

In order to reduce the overall width ofthe blank shown in Fig. 1 whenever desired, the end ap 20 with its slot 22 may be formed integral with the end reenforclng member 54 and in that event the end flap extensions 20 are not provided on the ends II. It will be noted, however, in the form illustrated, see Fig. 2, that the end iiaps 20 when turned inwardly bear upon the upper edge 59 of the end reenforcing member 54 and thus serve to a certain extent to prevent inward movement lor depression of the top-forming flaps 20 which in turn serve to a suitable degree to maintain the half-covers in coplanar relationship rather than in a downwardly inclined relationship.

While the invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing specication and similarly illustrated in the drawing, the same is tobe considered illustrative and not restrictive 4 in character. The various modications herein illustrated and/or described as Well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of this invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

'Ihe invention claimed isz- 1. In a self-locking paper board box, the com bination of a bottom, two opposite sides each having a pair of slits therein, the slits in opposite sides being other than in alignment, two intermediate sides, and lateral extensions from each side edge of the intermediate sides initially transverse thereto and each extending through a firstmentioned side slit and terminating immediately adjacent the inner face of the side opposite the immediate extension-intersected side, the portions ot the extensions beyond the intersections constituting partitions.

f 2. A box as dened by claim 1, characterized by each extension beyond the intersection portion including a slot, the slots being in registration, and by the addition of a.transverse partition interlockingly associated with the slotted intersecting portions at the slots.

3. A box as defined by claim 1, characterised by each extension beyond the intersection portion.

partition or a length substantially that of the including a plurality of spaced slots, slots in adjacent extended portions being 1n registration,

and by the addition of a plurality oi transverse partitions interlockingly associated with the extended portions at the slots thereof.

4. A box as deiined by claim 1, characterized by each extension beyond the intersection portion including a slot, the slots being in registration. and by the addition of a transverse partition interlockingly associated with the slotted intersecting portions at the slots, and anotherl partition of a length substantially that oi' the extended portions and positioned parallel there-- to and interlockingly associated with the transverse partition.

5. A box as deiined by claim 1, characterized by each extension beyond the intersection portion including a plurality of spaced slots, slots in adjacent extended portions being in registration,

and by the addition oi a plurality of transversepartitions, interlockingly asscciatedvwith the extended portions at the slots thereof, and another edges thereof.

extended portions and positioned parallel thereto and interlockingly associated with the transverse partitions.

6. A device as dened by claim l1, characterized vby the slits in one side being positioned at a. distance approximately one-sixth the length of that side from the side edges thereof.'

7. A device as dened by claim 1, characterized by the slits in one side being positioned at a distance approximately one-third the length of that side troni the adjacent side edges thereof.

8. A device as deilned by claim 1, characterized by the slits in one side being positioned at a dis--y tance approximately one-sixth the length of that side from the side edges thereof, the slits in the opposite side being positioned at a distance onethird the side length from the adjacent side JESSE n RICHARDS. WnLIAMYR. xvAN wmm. 

